My Perth Hypnobirthing Couples will know that I tell them to stay home as long as possible.
Well, Sam & Chris took me at my word.
“Hi Pip
I just wanted to let you know that I successfully went into labour on my own last Wednesday at 39 weeks & gave birth naturally to an amazing little boy, Louie Oscar, weighing 3.55 kg @ 11.50am!
Although I was happy with another week of maternity leave having only finished work the week before, I didn’t want to be medically induced so had a pregnancy acupuncture session on Monday.
I also had a big walk up Cresswell Hill on Tuesday, had been taking raspberry leaf tea, EPO tablets & of course practising my breathing by listening to Surge of the Sea & birthing affirmations.
I believe that what I learned through hypnobirthing helped me to manage the surges throughout Tuesday night & Wednesday morning at home on my own.
I quietly took myself downstairs onto the couch so as not to disturb Chris as was conscious he had work in the morning! I wasn’t even sure if I was experiencing ‘proper’ surges or it was Braxton Hicks as I hadn’t experienced them throughout my pregnancy (looking back now, duh!).
Before 6am, I thought I better ring the maternity ward to check & they told me to stay at home if I was managing comfortably so I even sent Chris off to work at 7am not really knowing I was going into labour!
Luckily I called Chris to come home approx 10am when I casually got out of the shower & saw the ‘show’ and a trickle, no major gushing of waters or anything other than that to give me a clue bub was truly on its way (double duh!).
My doctor/OB still advised me to go to my 11am antenatal appt to check me over & the hospital still weren’t rushing me in either what with being a first-time mum!
I think I recognised something had changed when the surges were much more intense, not feeling bearable & I felt I could no longer keep calm on my own & practice the breathing techniques I had been using.
Chris arrived home at 10.30am to me obviously anxious, bent over the kitchen worktop with all the bags at the front door, saying getting me to the hospital now not the flipping doctors!
Running only 2 red lights later & Chris having to change gear with one hand as I was squeezing him so much, we arrived at the hospital at 11am much to their surprise. I think they could see they needed to get a delivery room ready quick!
To even greater surprise I had arrived fully dilated!
Our OB appeared magically in time & Louie arrived only 50 mins later nice & chilled!
Quite obviously there was no time for drug relief which is a blessing as by this point having managed all night / morning I was reconsidering big style!
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know & tell you how much I benefitted from the course, wanting to & achieving a positive birthing experience!
Even though the last couple of hours were pretty heightened/intense (in all reality I was close to giving birth at home/in the car park!), the many hours before were calm & manageable.
The delivery midwives were supportive of us using hypnobirthing and said how I had managed so beautifully on my own. It felt pretty special wheeling Louie round to our room & getting praise from other midwives saying I was the talk of the ward! V proud mumma moment.
I did have your number on speed dial but didn’t get time to use it in the end 🙂
Take care. All our love. Sam, Chris & Louie ”
